CVE-2022-32630 is a vulnerability identified in several MediaTek SoCs (System on Chips), specifically models MT6789, MT6855, MT6895, MT6983, and MT8781, which are widely used in mobile devices running Android 12 and 13. The flaw arises from an out-of-bounds write in the throttling component due to an incorrect buffer size calculation. This buffer miscalculation leads to memory corruption, enabling a local attacker with existing system execution privileges to escalate their privileges further. Notably, exploitation does not require any user interaction, increasing the risk of automated or stealthy attacks. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-131 (Incorrect Calculation of Buffer Size), which typically results in memory corruption issues such as buffer overflows or out-of-bounds writes. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.7 (medium severity), with vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, indicating that the attack requires local access and high privileges but no user interaction, and can impact confidentiality, integrity, and availability significantly. While no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the presence of a patch (ALPS07405966) suggests that vendors have addressed the issue. The vulnerability's exploitation scope is limited to local attackers who already have system execution privileges, but successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise, including unauthorized data access, system integrity breaches, and denial of service. The affected MediaTek chipsets are commonly integrated into mid- to high-end smartphones, tablets, and IoT devices, making this a relevant concern for device manufacturers and end-users relying on these platforms.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-32630 is primarily on mobile devices and embedded systems utilizing the affected MediaTek chipsets. Enterprises with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies or those deploying Android devices with these SoCs may face increased risk of privilege escalation attacks, potentially leading to unauthorized access to corporate data, lateral movement within networks, or disruption of mobile services. The vulnerability could be leveraged by malicious insiders or malware that has already gained limited access to escalate privileges and compromise device security. Given the widespread use of MediaTek chipsets in consumer and industrial devices, sectors such as telecommunications, manufacturing, and critical infrastructure could be indirectly affected if compromised devices are used as entry points. The lack of user interaction requirement facilitates stealthy exploitation, increasing the threat to unattended or remotely accessible devices. However, the prerequisite of existing system execution privileges limits the attack vector to scenarios where initial compromise or insider threat is present. Overall, the vulnerability poses a moderate risk to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected devices within European organizations, necessitating timely patching and monitoring.

1. Immediate deployment of vendor-provided patches (e.g., ALPS07405966) to all affected devices is critical to remediate the vulnerability. Coordinate with device manufacturers and mobile carriers to ensure timely updates. 2. Implement strict device management policies that restrict installation of untrusted applications and enforce least privilege principles to minimize the chance of initial system-level compromise. 3. Employ mobile threat defense (MTD) solutions capable of detecting anomalous privilege escalation attempts and memory corruption exploits on Android devices. 4. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focused on mobile endpoints using MediaTek chipsets to identify potential exploitation attempts. 5. For organizations using IoT or embedded devices with these chipsets, isolate such devices on segmented networks and monitor for unusual behavior indicative of exploitation. 6. Educate users and administrators about the risks of privilege escalation vulnerabilities and the importance of applying security updates promptly. 7. Utilize endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools that support mobile platforms to detect post-exploitation activities. 8. Where possible, restrict local access to devices and enforce strong authentication mechanisms to reduce the risk of local attackers gaining system execution privileges.